Audi: A7, A8, & Q3

Audi has some promising new cars for 2011. Its A7 sedan and new A8 in the long wheelbase form will enter the market in the following months with diesel and petrol engines. As the year progresses, Audi will introduce additional engines based on the initial response. A 3.0-litre supercharged V6 petrol engine giving out 295bhp will be available, while the 3.0 liter diesel producing around 250bhp will also be on offer. The Audi Q3, on the other hand, will most likely be assembled at the Aurangabad plant and fitted with the 3.0 liter diesel and entry-level 2.0 liter petrol engine making 197hp. The Q3 will be a car to watch out for as Audi is planning to price this mini-crossover aggressively.

BMW: New X3 & 6 series

BMW will launch the all-new X3 in India this year. Unlike the existing X3, the new model will be assembled at Chennai, and fitted with a 2.0 liter engine and a manual gearbox from the 3 Series range producing around 180bhp. The local assembly will help price the car aggressively, while still serving as the perfect upgrade for 3 series and X1 customers. The new 6 series will continue being an import when it arrives here during the second quarter of 2011. It remains to be seen, however, if BMW offers both the 3.0 liter and 4.4 liter engine mated to the 8-speed AT.

Ford: New Fiesta sedan

Ford is working on introducing the new Fiesta sedan that will arrive with a pair of 1.6 liter engines. The diesel motor will understandably be more fuel efficient producing 90bhp, while the petrol will be rev-friendly and generate a healthy 120bhp. The new Fiesta will occupy the same price bracket as the current Fiesta, which in turn is expected to slip down a segment and battle in the league of the Swift Dzire, Indigo Manza, and Toyota Etios.

Chevrolet: Beat LPG & Diesel, Sail twins, Cruze petrol, Captiva & Tavera upgrade

General Motors will launch LPG and diesel variants of the Beat hatchback during the course of this year. The diesel engine is a 1.3 liter Multi-jet derived mill that will displace 1.0 liter, generating around 57bhp. The Swift Dzire segment Sail sedan from China’s SAIC line up is expected to land here this year, and eventually the hatchback body style will also be ready. The 1.3 liter Multi-jet engine, along with the Beat and Aveo powertrains will be fitted on the Chinese cars. Those looking for an affordable MPV can buy the new Tavera that will sport ICML’s 2.0-liter 120bhp CRDI engine by April. The Cruze petrol with either a 1.6 or 1.8 liter engine is coming this year to take the fight to the Corolla Altis, and the Captiva upgrade could sport the new 2.2 liter diesel engine producing more power.

Maruti Suzuki: Kizashi, new Swift & SX4

Maruti Suzuki’s next big launch will be the fully imported Kizashi, costing around `20 lakh. Scheduled for an early February release, the Kizashi will be offered with a 2.4 liter petrol engine coupled to manual and automatic gearboxes. Then comes the SX4 diesel, with the Fiat-sourced 1.3-liter Multi-jet engine equipped with a variable geometry turbocharger, good for 90bhp. The new Swift will run using the existing Swift’s 1.2-liter K-Series petrol engine loaded with variable valve timing and the SX4’s diesel engine without the VGT.

Honda: Brio, new Accord & diesel variants

Honda will introduce the Brio hatchback with the Jazz’s petrol engine in the middle of 2010. A 3-cylinder sub-1,000cc, lacking VTEC technology, is also being developed for the future. The Brio will be compact, but its interior packaging will be class leading. The car will be priced at around `5 lakh, but there’s no talk of a diesel variant. What could be sold with diesel engines are the Accord and possibly even the CR-V in 2011. The Accord facelift with minor cosmetic alterations, retaining the same mechanicals, will be introduced during the first quarter of 2011.

Hyundai: HA small car & RB Verna

Hyundai will take the game closer to Maruti Suzuki by introducing the high volume 800cc HA small car. The HA will be equipped with a 3 cylinder petrol engine, generating around 50bhp. There will be no diesel engine for now, but an LPG option is definitely on the cards. The new Verna is expected in the following months with the current Verna’s powertrains. The new Verna – with petrol, diesel and automatic transmission – is a very important car if the company needs to break away from the image of being primarily a hatchback manufacturer.

A sub 4-meter Xylo and Logan are in the works at Mahindra this year. The mini-Xylo will be a 5-seat MPV with a 1.5 liter, 3cylinder diesel engine. The compact Logan will be branded differently, and the cosmetic upgrades will bring it in line with the Mahindra family. The REVA NXR will be able to reach a top speed of 80km/h, with an estimated range 80 kilometers per charge. Lead Acid batteries will keep the cost low, while the modern design could encourage city dwellers to sign on the dotted line. Mahindra’s World SUV will be positioned well above the Scorpio. It will be equipped with the Scorpio’s 2.2 liter CRDI diesel engine and cost around `18 lakh when it comes out in June, loaded with equipment. The Ssangyong Korando could land in India by the end of 2011. Brought through the CKD route from Korea, it’ll come sporting the 2.0 turbodiesel engine and a 6-speed manual transmission initially.

Nissan: Micra AT & Sunny sedan

Nissan has started studying the market for the feasibility of the Micra AT. Meanwhile, the Sunny sedan will arrive here during the festive period with a 1.5 liter diesel engine and a 1.6 liter petrol engine. The Sunny sedan will be positioned in the C segment and will battle it out with the Honda City, Hyundai Verna, and VW Vento.

Renault: Koleos & Fluence

The Fluence will try and give the Skoda Laura and Toyota Corolla a run for their money with better comfort and quirky design. This Renault sedan will be high on equipment also, as gizmos like Bluetooth connectivity and keyless entry are expected to feature. The 1.5 liter diesel engine will be tuned to produce over 100bhp, while a 1.6 liter petrol engine will be adjusted to suit the large sedan. The Koleos, meanwhile, will be positioned in the `20 lakh SUV territory, and that isn’t going to make things easy for Renault. The Koleos will be offered with a 2.0 liter diesel engine, making 150bhp and coupled to a 6-speed transmission.

Tata Motors: Nano upgrade & new Safari

Tata is working on upgrading the Nano by giving it more features. A 5-speed transmission and power steering are rumored to make an appearance on the Nano+, while a turbocharged 2 cylinder CRDI engine is also in the works. The new Safari will be a revamped model, boasting of improvements to its in-city drivability. The front-end of the new Safari will exude aggression, while changes to the interiors are also expected.

Volkswagen: New Passat & Jetta

Volkswagen will introduce the new Jetta and Passat in India this year. Features like non-independent torsion beam rear suspension will bring down the Jetta’s price tag. The 1.4 litre, 122bhp TSI petrol, and the 2.0 litre CRDi will be offered on the 16-18 lakh Rupee Jetta when it arrives in time for Diwali. The bigger and more expensive Passat will have the larger 1.8 TSI petrol engine, while the 2.0 TDI diesel from the current Passat will feature again on the new model.

Toyota has to do nothing special, as matching consumer demand for the Etios will keep them busy in 2011. The hatch will be on the market in April 2011 with a 1.2 liter petrol engine. There’s no talk of a diesel engine for the Etios this year, as that will only balloon the already long waiting periods. The Corolla Altis will undergo a makeover with changes to the front fascia and the stop lamps. Toyota might also introduce a lower displacement engine on the Altis to brush shoulders with the Honda City.